sporadically throughout

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sporadically throughout" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs at irregular intervals or in scattered instances over a period of time or across a space. Example: "The rain fell sporadically throughout the day, making it difficult to plan outdoor activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Minor extinction events occurred sporadically throughout the Cambrian Period.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nonrecurrent storms occur sporadically throughout the solar rotation but are primarily driven by CMEs.

Britannica

Artillery and mortar fire could be heard sporadically throughout the morning.

The New York Times

The flowers are usually bisexual, but unisexual flowers occur sporadically throughout the family.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, his attitude has been questioned sporadically throughout his career, one of the reasons he has been nicknamed Forrest Gump.

The Guardian - Sport

In addition to weekly pickup matches, tournaments featuring other politically affiliated clubs take place sporadically throughout the year.

The New Yorker

Rhea, in Greek religion, ancient goddess, probably pre-Hellenic in origin, who was worshipped sporadically throughout the Greek world.

Britannica

Other collections would appear sporadically throughout Mr. Cohen's life, including the omnibus "Poems and Songs" in 2011.

The New York Times

Less audacious books trying to find connections between science and religion have appeared sporadically throughout the century.

The New York Times

As demonstrations occurred sporadically throughout the country, the Syrian government continued to attribute unrest to foreign conspiracies and sectarian tension.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other studies have found that exercising sporadically throughout the day aids in weight control, particularly for older women.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sporadically throughout", ensure the context clearly indicates both the irregular nature and the extended scope or timeframe of the occurrences. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "sporadically throughout" when the events are actually clustered within a specific period or area. This phrase is best suited for describing truly scattered, irregular instances across a broader context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sporadically throughout" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner and extent to which an action or event occurs. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correctly used to indicate that something happens irregularly across a period or area.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sporadically throughout" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates irregular occurrences across a specific period or area. Ludwig confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the scattered and non-uniform nature of the events being described. Alternatives like "intermittently throughout" and "occasionally throughout" can be used to add nuance. Avoid using it when events are clustered or uniform. The phrase's versatility and clarity make it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intermittently throughout

Replaces "sporadically" with "intermittently", emphasizing the on-and-off nature of the occurrences.

occasionally throughout

Substitutes "sporadically" with "occasionally", suggesting less frequent but still random occurrences.

irregularly throughout

Uses "irregularly" instead of "sporadically", highlighting the lack of a fixed pattern.

at irregular intervals throughout

More explicitly describes the sporadic nature as occurring "at irregular intervals".

patchily across

Changes the context slightly to describe something scattered in patches across an area.

unevenly distributed throughout

Focuses on the uneven distribution of something, implying a lack of uniformity.

here and there throughout

Uses a more informal expression to convey the scattered nature of the occurrences.

now and then throughout

Replaces "sporadically" with a common idiom suggesting infrequent occurrences.

infrequently over

A simpler alternative using "infrequently" to indicate rare occurrences.

at random times throughout

Highlights the randomness of the occurrences over a period.

FAQs

How can I use "sporadically throughout" in a sentence?

You can use "sporadically throughout" to describe events or occurrences that happen at irregular intervals over a period of time or across a given area. For example, "Rain fell "sporadically throughout" the day" or "Protests erupted "sporadically throughout" the country".

What are some alternatives to "sporadically throughout"?

Alternatives include "intermittently throughout", "occasionally throughout", or "irregularly throughout". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "sporadically throughout"?

No, it is not necessarily redundant. "Sporadically" indicates irregular occurrence, while "throughout" specifies that these occurrences are spread over a certain time or area. The combination clarifies both the timing and scope.

What's the difference between "sporadically throughout" and "consistently throughout"?

"Sporadically throughout" implies irregular and infrequent occurrences, while "consistently throughout" suggests regular and continuous presence or action. They are near opposites in meaning.